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Has it really been a YEAR since Washington DC and GCLS? Where has the time gone? REALLY? I traveled a lot since then, bought a few new computers, got a new SUV, wrote a few books (you didn’t miss THAT did you?) and here we are again! Another event. This year it’s in Chicago which is cool because it’s only 5 hour (depending on traffic) or so from the Northwoods where I hole up in my cave *depending on if I’m writing. This hermit is coming out of the cave for this event. Be sure to stop by the Shadoe Publishing booth as seen here from last year.

You couldn’t possibly miss my red hat could you?

Ask me for a Lesbian Membership card! I laminated a few too for you die-hards who need a card! lol!

Oh, and I’m bringing PLENTY of books too, got the first loads in the back of my new SUV:

Yeah, those are HEAVY…I will have to either get a bigger SUV or a trailer soon!

All joking aside, Shadoe Publishing has two booths this year as always and we would LOVE to see you. I’ll be on a panel with some very nice authors on Thursday, and, of course around for the author signings…or, if you can’t be there for that, buy a book and hunt me down with my red fedora or my light up shoes!

Because, well, as you know, I don’t like to draw attention to myself, bahahahahahah!

C’mon, you know you want to give me a hug, get a picture, and I want to see you all there too! Don’t be shy! I don’t bite…hard. BTW, if you post a picture of me and you on Facebook from the conference, I want you to tag me! I’ll even consider GIVING you a book for doing that!

Nikki Kay is a successful lesbian romance author, from a loving Russian family. Her best friend Quinn from an uptight Anglo-Saxon family has been her best friend since childhood. Unfortunately for Nikki, Quinn is more than a best friend—she is the only woman Nikki ever truly loved.

When Quinn’s husband kills himself unexpectedly, Nikki rushes to Quinn’s side. And just as they need each other more than ever, Quinn discovers she’s carrying his child. While Quinn sees no problem leaning on Nikki to get her through, Nikki is faced with battling her growing attraction

A brilliant child protégée, she dreams of becoming a doctor and a surgeon…and accomplishes her goals. Unfortunately, her youth and round, child-like face work against her. No matter how skilled she becomes, how knowledgeable, the old school, male-dominated medical hierarchy wants to keep her in ‘her place.’

Deana has worked hard to become an expert in her chosen field, but few believe this ‘child’ capable. Specializing in infectious diseases, she travels the world—from the States to Europe to South America—honing her skills before winding up in Africa where her skills are desperately needed.

Meeting a nurse by the name of Madison MacGregor, she finds they share an insatiable curiosity and a love of helping others, but falling in love was not what she intended. Later, when she loses Maddie to a misunderstanding, she is haunted by the one that got away…

Ten years have passed and both the doctor and nurse have moved on with their lives, but fate intervenes when they find themselves working at the same hospital. Their friendship is revived…can their love be rekindled? Will the past haunt them or bring them closer? Will the secrets that both harbor keep them from realizing a future together?

Major Kate Winston is a decorated officer with a promising career until she wakes up naked in the arms a strange woman with no memory of how she got there.

Alexia is from another planet sent by the elders to kill Major Winston to put off the foreseen destruction of their planet by Earth’s mistakes.

From the backwoods of Pennsylvania to New York City to Alexia’s home world, the novel weaves a tale of emotional intrigue as two women from different words struggle with their desires, and life and death decisions.

Five years ago, Lieutenant Marsha Gagliano disappeared when her helicopter crashed in Afghanistan. Her wife held out hope for her return, but with no word from the army after all that time, she begins to realize she may have to move on without her.

At the embassy in Kabul, a burqa-clad woman arrives at the gate with two young children in tow. The black-haired, brown-eyed woman looks like an Afghan native, but her American accent belies this. She identifies herself as Lieutenant Marsha Gagliano, all the while keeping a close eye out behind her as though at any moment, someone might jump out and snatch her back.

Questions arise regarding her disappearance and reappearance and the army is suspicious. The children are obviously hers. Has she consorted with the enemy? How will her wife react to these children? Will she be able to accept children she had no part in conceiving?

What is this woman hiding beneath her chador? What secrets lie behind her veil of silence?

Okay, I will confess I didn’t know who this keynote speaker at the GCLS Con was. I did my research and read about her and her book BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA which was made into a movie…cool. I didn’t expect to find myself sitting NEXT to her at my first reading…and again, I was sick and clueless and didn’t recognize this great author. Thank goodness MY reading of SHIPS, my FIRST novel written in 2003 was before this great orator went on to deliver her reading. She blew us ALL away and following her would never have the impact. I was absolutely astounded when this woman leaned over after my reading and said, “Good Job! Great story.” It’s always wonderful to be told that, but to be told by someone who you cannot help but admire…well, let’s just say WOW and leave it at that. Her reading left the audience in tears, mesmerized by her words, her delivery, and the story… Seeing her at the awards dinner later in the week was only a bonus, she is gracious, kind, and down to earth. Her southern accent endears the listener and enhances what she has to say. Whether you have read her works or not, run, don’t walk, and get them!

To rub shoulders with the greats, to have them acknowledge a fellow author, these things stay with a person. I can only hope if/when I might make that status that I remember humbly how wonderful they made me feel at a moment in time…and pass it on.

Several years ago when Harry Potter was at its height and kids anxiously awaited each and EVERY release, my kids included, we ran into a problem at the school library. Our school was brand spanking new and as a result got the new books LAST before the more established grade schools. So, for like 400 kids waiting for a book there might be one or two, if that. Then you had the time while someone had it checked out and you had to wait for them to return it before it became available for the next student…and the next.

I was in a good place in my life. Two homes, two vehicles, and two boys who LOVED the HARRY POTTER books, which had been introduced to them by their loving Grandmother, my mother. We all enjoyed the books both written and on tape as we took many trips together during that time. My boys had a rule though; we ALL had to read the books FIRST before we could listen to them read to us on tape. It was great as the boys read these thick volumes and enjoyed the stories. Their imaginations soared. But then we found out about the local library and their problems.

So, I went out and bought two complete sets of the books and ‘donated’ them to our school library. The librarian couldn’t understand what my son meant at first when he brought them in to her. When she finally realized what it was about she got up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, requesting that he give me the same. Every new book that came out got a ‘donation’ or two to the school library so that more copies were available to the kids whose parents either couldn’t afford to buy them or didn’t realize their children were reading them. My kids too got such a kick out of knowing their friends could read the same stories and enjoy them the same way they did.

A few years later, they were out of the school system but their mom (me) began to write her own novels. I now donate them to the local library here in small-town USA as the LGBT section is woefully neglected. I don’t think they appreciate Lesbian Fiction but I don’t really care for their narrow-mindedness. I did hear from someone in town who was able to borrow one of my books and has since purchased ones that aren’t available by paperback. I’ll continue to pay it forward…with books. Thank you for reading!

This looks to be an exciting and fun time and I’m on with authors I highly respect (and I’ll admit, intimidate me a little)…so it should be a good time!

So if you happen to be in the New Orleans area or you want to come to the Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS) event, please stop in and we will be happy to take your questions and probably give you some humorous answers!

Well for one, I believe in paying it forward. Whether you have heard of me or not the 10’s of thousands of readers I have (or more, I hope) like my books and have contributed to my fame and fortune and will continue to do so. I believe in helping other authors and this provided an excellent opportunity for everyone, readers and authors alike to get out there and see and be seen. Someone helped me once and while I cannot repay them, I can help others. Why not?

Secondly, What goes around, comes around right? If you do good, live a good life, hopefully the karma you put out into the world will be returned. I’ve seen it happen and I hope by doing a kindness someday it will come back around, indirectly or directly but I’m a good person, I write good books, and I enjoy finding new and exciting adventures in other’s books and novels!

So whether you read my books or not, take a look at the authors contributing their work and time to this venture, you may find your next favorite author in the mix!http://www.kannemeinel.com

K’Anne Meinel is a Lesbian Fiction bestselling author with more than 92 published works including shorts, novellas, and novels. She is an American author born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in Oconomowoc. Upon early graduation from high school she went to a private college in Milwaukee and then moved to California for seventeen years before returning to the state. Many of her stories have Wisconsin in them as settings for her wonderful, realistic, and detailed backgrounds. Named the lesbian Danielle Steel of her time, K’Anne continues to write interesting stories in a variety of genres in both the lesbian and mainstream fiction categories. Her website is www.kannemeinel.com.